My weeks have started over

Hi all, so instead of counting my weeks of Health Mania...I now have a new mania, as do many of you(well not new for many of you, but still). Baby Mania has begun again in the Stansel family! I begin week 10 today. So, I'll try to keep the blog more up to date like I had been, just different things to talk about here lately. Fatigue. Allergies. Nausea. Hormones. Fun stuff, right?!!

I do feel very blessed, though, even with all of the obstacles that come with pregnancy.

My first Dr's appointment is Dec 16th....I'll keep ya'll posted!!

More Baby Mania

So mostly these days I'm just trying to stay sane. I can literaly feel my body gearing up for labor, and I'm getting soooooo impatient. At the same time, I'm feeling soooooo rushed. I remember from Anjali, I know that once this new baby's here, I'm not going to want to/feel like doing anything else but rocking and cuddling and sleeping. So I feel like I'm preparing for the end of the world or something, frantically trying to get everything done, alternating between wanting more time and just wanting this to be over. And, of course, the frustration of not knowing exactly when it'll be over.

But a more pressing deadline is hovering on the horizon: the in-laws are coming for Thanksgiving. So, if nothing else, I've got to get things in order here before next week, regardless of when this one shows up on the scene.

And the biggest frustration? Poor Faiyaz is slaving away at work, and while I really appreciate his hard work and dedication, he's got a huge mess in the office and another on the dining table that only he can clean up. And it's driving me crazy! So I might lock him in the office this weekend, just till he gets it clean. That's where we're putting my mother-in-law to sleep, so it really has to get done.

And on top of all that, I'm trying to work on a quilt for Anjali and a hat for the new baby. I am insane.

The baby count down

Alright, so I haven't posted here in eons, so sorry.

It's three and a half weeks until my due date, but on Friday the doctor said I probably won't make it (hurray!) so I'm excited.

And my inlaws are coming for thanksgiving in two weeks.

So I'm frantically trying to get house ready for new baby and inlaws, which both might get here around the same time :)

And I've got the most ridiclous to-do list. There's the master one, of big projects for before the baby, and then a daily one, broken into three sections. Yep, I have a morning to-do list, a naptime to-do list, and an afternoon to-do list. There is something wrong with me, seriously. But I'm staying on top of things for the most part, so maybe the crazy lists are the secret.

Oh, and I still don't have a name for this poor child! BLAH! Fai and I can't agree on one.

I think I'm supposed to be starting week 26...

...but I've fizzled out!! Help!! Cold weather always stops me in my tracks...literally. So, I could post on all the reasons I stopped moving forward with my health goals, namely exercise, but I don't think I will. We all know who entices us to stop doing something that is good for us. The specifics are not important, I would only feel as if I was trying to justify myself. I must get that motivation back! I will be praying for it, and I hope you gals out there will again join me in anything you have of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things, right?! :P And, if you need some help or motivation in order to get something good to report...I'm definitely up for that too.

I look forward to conversing with y'all, I truly do. On any level, please let us know what is going on in your lives.

Love, Jenn

update on diet

Ok, this is a small post but I have an update on my dieting status. So I have cut out all carbs, and not only am I very alert I am 3 lbs lighter in 2 days, and very very very hungry!!!! hahah I am just waiting for halloween so I can cheat!!!

....eek, week 17,18 where did you go? J's HM-Wk 19

WOW, time flies when you're NOT having fun, too!! Amazing! Sorry about not posting for the past couple of weeks, but I felt the blog needed a break from my running rants(though I have not done much running to rant about lately!), ya know? I know reading it can get boring. I have wanted to post about motivation to organize certain rooms of my house, but I knew that I wasn't motivated enough to begin tackling the challenge! Motivation to get motivated? With me, it's true! After going to the temple, though, I know I don't really have a choice. I've got to get motivated, and He will help me*and hopefully y'all, too?!*. Any advice out there from super-moms, or OCD's, or just someone who's been through the same battle?!

Just to let you know I haven't ran since I last posted!! Soooo many crazy things have gone on in our life, I've kind of been overloaded...I don't even want to post about them because it only brings negativity for me to think about it all. Anyway, long story short, we were able to finally go to the temple...And I feel like I can breathe again. Though not much has changed between Friday when we had all we could take, and Saturday after we left the temple....God held us and said everything would be okay, not too worry. I am trying so hard to hang onto that.

I wanted to run this morning, but my cyatic nerve has been giving me trouble...never knew I really had a problem! Anyway, I'm going to either run tonight or in the morning and see how it feels! I think I might have to give up the culprit of the nerve problem which is a pair of heels that are WAY high:P They're sooo cute though! I have to say they are not cute enough to endure that pain!

I'll post goals when I figure out 'where I am',

if you know what I mean.

Glad everyone is back!!!

Learning from Jenn

Ok so after reading Jenn's hmwk post after post, I got to thinking. I should really be doing this for myself. I am so good at loosing weight then putting it on (plus some!) So I printed out a picture of someone who is the size that i want to be, someone who is about my height and body build and wearing normal clothes. I was trying to make it more realistic and an easier goal. So, I printed it out and put taped it on our tredmil. Along with the picture, I taped up 2 sayings "Don't give up" and "You can do it". I figure if I look at that while I am running it will keep me motivated.

I also went onto the daily plate and found out that if I eat 1842 calories a day and run everyday I CAN loose 2 lbs a week. Now I put major emphasis on can because we all know everyones body is different and some weeks no matter what we do we dont loose and others we may loose a lot.

My next step it to get a hip hop aerobics dvd or something of the sort, so I can feel like I am back at the church with all my girls! p.s. a prego mj teaching aerobics would be so cute to watch.

So this is my goal, I am starting today. I planned out what I am eating today and how much I am exercising and I have 315 extra calories to eat today! YIPEE. haha

***** before and after pictures will be posted when I can take an after!

Just in need of a little encouragement here...

This week I tried 2 new recipes! Yay for me, right? 2 recipes in less than a week? At least for me, that's something to brag about! Here's the bad part: the food! They were terrible! I followed the directions to a "T", and they even resembled their magazine-picture-perfect counterparts, but they tasted nasty!

When we got out to eat, Joe-Z always likes to get something new. Me, I like to stick to the tried-and-true...and I'm never left disappointed! Joe-Z on the other hand...seems like he's barely ever happy with what he got and says he should've gotten what I did, LOL. This new recipe thing sounds an awful lot like our restaurant problem!

Has anyone else ever experienced this problem? I'm not one for trying new things, so maybe this is more common than I thought...do you have to try a certain number of recipes before you hit on a good one?

Please tell me I'm not the only one, unless I am...

Jenn's HM-Week 16 & other updates

The good first! I ran Monday through Friday this week, making it a grand total of 19 miles ran!! My legs certainly are sore and I decided to take the morning off to let them rest, no joke. I did do a little better on drinking water but need to continue to get back to where I was. As far as the crunches and video, I didn't do them even once! I'll set a certain time this week to see if that helps.

My more specific goals:

Saturday-4:00pm, video and 50 crunches
Monday-6:30am, run 4 miles; 4:00pm crunches
Tuesday-6:30am, run 4 miles; 4:00pm video
Wednesday-6:30am, run 4 miles; 4:00pm crunches
Thursday-6:30am, run 4 miles; 4:00pm video
Friday-6:30am, run 4 miles; 4:00pm crunches

• drink all water
• no fried foods! & overall healthy choices

I have been trying to get Mallorie to recognize the letters of the alphabet. She can recognize A,a,B,b,G,K,k,M,m,O,o,R,r,S,s,X, and x!! She's doing well! It's neat to see her sponge up the information and then when we are in a store or something point at a letter and say "That's a ___!" She's also even understanding how the letters sound! Funny story, we were going through the alphabet with flash cards. We got to "Gg" and after we said "G" mallorie goes "Like Slim Jim!"(yes, she likes Slim Jim's) At first I was like, no Jim begins with a J, but my mom overheard and reminded me that a "Gym" begins with a "G"....Wow!! Mallorie is really getting it!--I couldn't believe it. It's neat to see the transfer of information.

Good luck this week, everyone!

the book

I just posted an excerpt from "The Death of Flora May" on my blog. Please read and comment. Feedback is vital!

Several Things...

Still working on keeping the house clean, it's a struggle with amazing Anjali the mess-maker. Trying to do a little bit everyday.

The novel editing is going well, it's hard to find the time, but I'm getting there. Fai is now reading it as I edit, and giving me some great comments and suggestion. Got a copy of Writer's Market 2009. This weekend Fai is going to start my website. My hope is that soon it will be all ready to start the search for an agent/publisher. Again, trying to do a little everyday. I want to be done editing by mid-Sept.

And now Anjali is sleeping in a big girl bed, I've started a quilt. My big fear is that I'll run out of fabric for it. I want to finish the quilt by the end of September.

Those are my three goals: A cleaner house, the novel finished, and a quilt for Anjali.

Jenn's HM- Week 15

Hello all...if anyone is still out there?! Here are my updates!!:

1. I ran in the morning for 4 mornings!(3 mornings I did the 4 miles, and one I wanted to see how fast I could run a mile...9 and 1/2 mins is not too bad, right?! I honestly don't know)
2. I was not a good water drinker, although I did drink some on top of the sodas instead of solely water...I will work on it.
3. I did crunches and the video once...I will work on that, too.
4. I did try to make better eating choices, but can still greatly improve.

Here are next weeks goals(maybe this format will help me stick to everything better):

• Saturday-do video and crunches since tropical storm Fay has bludgeoned all hopes of going outside today!
• Monday-6:45am, run 4 miles...50 crunches
• Tuesday-6:45am, run 4 miles...strength training video
• Wednesday-6:45am, run 3 miles normal, 1 mile faster...50 crunches
• Thursday-6:45am, run 4 miles...strength training video
• Friday-6:45am, run 3 miles normal, 1 mile faster...50 crunches
• And very important that I eat as healthy as possible and drink plenty of my H2O friend:)

I'm curious as to how everyone is doing. Drop a line...or a post as it may be...when you get a chance. I know how life gets pretty busy sometimes. Just make it a bloggable moment when you can! Have a wonderful week!

Jenn's Health Mania-Week 14

Although the number 13 may be my lucky number, it was not a lucky exercise week if you catch my drift. I did the video twice! But that's the highlight of the update! I ran twice, boo..... It was my birthday this week and the schedule has been just enough awry that I only got to run twice, though I sincerely wanted to every night!! I did crunches once, and drank more sodas than I had been. So, this week has been a good "what I need to improve on" week, sort of an eye-opener.

So, here's what I plan on adjusting: I would like to start solely running in the mornings instead of at night. This way, I am the only one that has to be out there. When I go at night Mallorie tries to stay up and wait for me and doesn't understand why she can't run with me. But....(there's always one)...I just have to get into the habit of getting up really early! Which means I have to go to bed earlier, but it'll actually turn out to be a blessing all around. Exercising in the morning helps the day get started off right. Wish me luck!

Goals for next week:

1. Find my love of water again!


2. Wake up in the mornings & run (aim for 4 times)


3. Alternate between the video and 50 crunches each day


4. Make healthy eating choices

P.S. Where is everyone???!!! I'll be e-mailing soon about the side bar bio, so get your bios and pictures ready!! Thanks y'all!

Jenn's Health Mania-Week 13(<---my lucky number:P)

Sorry I'm again posting very late, but I have to confess that personal accountability got me again! I made a deal with Lindsey that we would each do our videos twice, but I didn't get to it again...so I just avoided posting until I could do it at least once!! Funny how human nature is, right? Well, I did the video last night! Woo-hoo, but technically it can't be counted until I post on Friday! I ran 3 times last week, so about 12 miles...yeah I need to step it up a notch but last week was out of our normal schedule so I won't give myself such a hard time. Sitting here re-reading and proof reading I have to note that it feels pretty good to be complaining about ONLY running 12 miles last week. Thanks everyone for the accountability factor, I really am truly grateful for all of y'all's(can there really be 2 apostrophes in 1 word?) participation. I did the crunches once last week, and felt it for a few days after that! So, I do need to keep that goal since I can tell it will work if I make it a habit.

New goals for the next few days since I'm posting so late in the week:

1. Run 3 more times
2. Drink more water!
3. Do weight training video once more
4. 50 crunches twice
5. Eat healthier(we ate out more last week than norm.)

Side bar bio poll

Please take a second to vote in the poll. I want to know how many of you would be willing to participate in the side bar bio. I think this will help everyone to get to know each other and feel more connected to the blog in a personal way. Thanks in advance!

Jenn's HM-Week 11 & 12

So, I was in Atlanta week before last and didn't get to exercise, so I figured I'd just wait until I updated for this week and include it all together. So, basically instead of starting my exercise week on Saturday and going to Friday, I'll add last Thursday into my update for the week.

I ran 5 times last week for a total of 20.5 miles! I'm starting to actually enjoy the challenge of running. I'm still doing good on the water deal, and still not good on the weight training video:P

This past week I ordered a bluetooth headphone set to match up with my phone so I can listen to music while I run (thank you mom for giving me your Dell promotional gift cards)! This has been major motivation! I've only gotten to use it once so far, and didn't have much good music downloaded yet, and it still helped the time fly by! Thank you goes out to Marquesas and her hubby Drew for letting me copy some of their music, I really appreciate that:P

Goals for next week:
1. Run as much as possible (aim for 4/5 times)
2. Continue drinking mostly water
3. Do weight training video..once?
4. 50 crunches (once a day? we'll see what I can do!)

Oh, I forgot to say that since I started whole-heartedly running a little over a month ago, I've lost 10 or 11 lbs! Thanks for all the encouragement out there and thanks to God for His grace. That's the only answer I have for me actually being able to run that far...grace and mercy!

Good luck to those doing the Marathon Clean...sorry I haven't held up my end of the bargain!
Hope to hear from everyone out there and what y'all are accomplishing or need help with this week!

From an Exotic Location...

Anjali is napping, and I am writing this from my newly cleaned bedroom. The dresser and vanity have been decluttered, dusted, and a candle is burning from the dresser. The rest of the clutter that has built up is gone. The one eye sore remaining? Fai's bedside table. Oh, well. Can't have everything. I do still need to vacuum in here. Fai is going out with the missionaries tonight (I don't like to clean when he's home), so I'm going to do that after I put Anjali in bed for the night. (Vacuum+stairs+two year old=too much hassle!) Oh, and the living room just needs to have a few toys picked up, the dining table is still clutter free, and my kitchen is clean, with chicken defrosting in the sink for dinner.

On a writing note: slowly reading through the 2nd draft, making notes for the third. Week after next will be my marathon writing week while Anjali is in New York. I'm hoping to be done with my read through by then.

My updates...

Alright, nice to be back.

Let's start first with my marathon cleaning...or, unfortunately, the lack thereof! Although I didn't get anything cleaned yesterday (unless you count 2 loads of laundry, yeah, let's count those) but I was able to: get a new cell phone (if you missed it, this is why), mail off a camera to the guy who bought it on eBay, and go look at a house. Those events (an the prep work) took most of my day...so even thought nothing was cleaned, I feel it was a success nonetheless!

Next we'll move on to my fitness / weight loss updates! I don't remember where I was the last time I posted, but now I'm at a total weight loss of 15.6 pounds! I'm really excited about it! I can definitely tell a difference, and it feels so good! I have to admit, however, that I've had Chinese buffet the last 3 Friday nights in a row! Eeeeek. However, Joe-Z and I are FINALLY able to have regular date nights (and Chinese just happens to be the thing we both really want), so I think it's a fair trade. Even with that (and McDonald's twice...I know, I know...) I lost 1.6 pounds in 2 weeks...not a lot, but I'll take it!

And the next, most exciting thing to happen lately...I joined the gym! Woo hoo! None other than the wonderful YMCA! I love, love, love it! And the Kid Stuff area for Levi is magnificent...if I can just get him to go, LOL. I know he'll love it once he's there, but I'm putting off taking him...we are just getting him to go to nursery again (since John Morgan was born, Levi has been going through this attachment phase, but the last 3 Sunday's, he's gone to nursery). Hopefully I'm wondering at this point, if it's me that scared to take him, or him...does that make sense? Oh well, I'm going to try soon. But anyway, I love the gym. It feels so great to work out! Yay for being poor...you get discounted gym rates!

Hope you all are having a great week!

the marathon continues

Yesterday I didn't get as much done as I had hoped, I got lost taking Anjali to the park, so the playground/grocery shopping trip took longer than expected. And I also got sucked into a really good book. I did clean the entry way, and the kitchen, and sweep and mop, as well as keep the living room tidy. When Fai got home, he commented on how good it felt to be in a clean house!

Oh, and it's a good thing I didn't clean the downstairs bathroom yesterday, because today Anjali pooped in her underwear, and I had to flip it out into the toilet...let's just say I'd be cleaning the bathroom downstairs regardless! Today it's bathrooms and tidying...and possibly vacuuming up the stairs if I feel really brave. Anjali sucked up a lot of time this morning, we had to wait around all day for people to come look at our mold...and we're still waiting...

Marathon Clean

So yesterday I couldn't stand how dirty my house had gotten any more. We'd been out and about all weekend, and on Saturday we discovered mold in the basement, so had to drag up all the pet stuff and some other stuff from down there, so the house was a serious MESS. Yesterday, with Faiyaz's help, we got four loads of laundry done, and he vacuumed under the couch cushions. I cleaned the kitchen counters, the stove, did the dishes, cleared off the table, vacuumed the living room and washed the dog. Also got all the laundry put up. Today I'm going to clean out our entry way, sweep and mop the kitchen and entry way, dust downstairs, and clean both the downstairs and upstairs bathroom. I'm also going grocery shopping and I'm going to take Anjali to the playground. I'm going to try not to nap today, or if I do nap, make it an hour or less.

Is your house starting to get out of control? Are the little jobs you don't do daily starting to pile up? Are you just getting by day by day? Join me in a two week long marathon day. Every day I'm going to make a list of big tasks, beyond the usual cooking and dishes, that need to get done. After the marathon clean, I'm hoping to start a new cleaning plan to prevent it from getting this bad again. And I'm not letting myself make excuses for it any more. Yes, I'm pregnant, sick, and I have a two year old, but I need a clean home. I've used FlyLady in the past, and it was helpful, but it's not a system that really works for me, so I'm going to try making my own. Wanna Marathon Clean with me? I won't bore everyone by posting daily how it's going, but I'll try doing an update in three or four days.

PS-Again, don't assume my house is worse than it is, it's livable, I just want every nook and cranny to be really, really clean.

Jenn's HM-Week 10

Hello all! Sorry I didn't post on Friday, we had to take an unexpected trip up above Atlanta to visit Joe's grandmother in the hospital. They're not sure what's wrong with her yet, but it's pretty serious (fluid around her lungs, weak heart, etc). So, my results from last week are that I ran twice and did the video once...I drank almost all water until this weekend in which I had a couple of sodas, bad me.

I'll keep the same goals from last week...
and ask for some extra prayers that the doctors will at least figure out what is wrong with 'Grandma Stansel'.

Hope everyone is doing great out there!

An Invitation...

Just a reminder, if any of you have any friends that you would like to invite or if someone reading this would like to be invited to be a contributor to the blog just leave a comment to this post or e-mail me at jenniferstansel@hotmail.com . All I need is the e-mail address of the person that would like to be invited or that you would like to invite!

I'm enjoying everyone's postings and hope y'all are, too!!

Please e-mail me at any time if there's anything that you would like to see updated about the blog...such as:

A sidebar bio of our contributors(with pictures of those who wouldn't mind their picture being on the blog), which Mrs. Blimes had suggested.

Please give me feedback on this suggestion, and let me hear any other ideas that you may have!!

Hope to hear from y'all soon!

Flower Power Progress!

Some of you may already know that Mary Ann has been teaching me floral design for a few weeks now! (ps she should be a part of this blog!) I have really been enjoying it! I wanted to post some of my creations so far! Some of these were created with Mary Ann on hand guiding me along and others were completely on my own... can you tell the difference???

Anyway, I still have a long way to go but I feel really good about what I've learned so far!!!

Jenn's HM-Week 9

• I ran 12.75 miles this week...It was Joe's birthday this week so it seemed like we were being taken out to eat all week long! I'm not trying to complain about that, but my running suffered:(


• I didn't get to the video, so I need to try harder with that.


• I did drink almost all water...I've truly gained a love for it, even a literal thirst:P


• I haven't really eaten snacks between meals, so I didn't add any extra veggies, etc...

Goals for the coming week:

1. Run 16 miles
2. Do strength training DVD twice
3. All Water
4. Order Eat to Live book and start reading about the 6 week plan

It's good to hear from everyone again and to see all that y'all are doing!

That Itch...Time to Scratch.

Last night I couldn't sleep. I looked at the clock, showing me it was after 2 am. I listened to Faiyaz's deep breathing. I'd already agreed to get up with Anjali in the morning and let him sleep in since he's been getting up at 5. Meanwhile my thoughts were racing.

I am now committed to finished the editing of my novel before the new baby comes in December. I need to do the third draft, with some major changes, on my own, then get both Faiyaz and my grandmother to read it and give comments. At that point I'm also going to need to have a website up and running with bio info and an exert from the novel...and a nice picture that doesn't make me look fat (better take that picture now, huh?) Then I've got to find a literary agent, preferably mainstream. I need to get to the looking for an agent point before the new baby comes. That is my goal. I have less than five months.

My writing has always gone this way. Sometimes I write because I write and I have to keep writing, and other times I get the itch. This compelling feeling that I have to be working frantically. It is what drove me to the completion of the first draft of this novel. I was diligently writing daily, working at a steady pace, when suddenly I had an "itch".

So now I have another itch. My house is going to be filthy by the time this is over.

Here I am!

Just been really busy! Is it too early to be showing this much? It seems like just last week I couldn't see anything! Am I losing it or do I look preggers now!?!

Where is everyone?

What goals are you pursuing? Is that where you are... out pursuing your goals? I've decided to stick to the ones I posted the other day. That's enough to try to keep up with for now.

Keep up the good work on whatever you are doing... and report in. It's fun to know what you are all up to!

Me

Jenn's HM-Week 8

Here's a random piece of info I found while looking for a picture to fit the post:
Scoring Goals in the Game of Life:

1.Write them down.
2.Consider why they are important.
3.Define the outcome you want.
4.Identify accountability.
5.Set deadlines.
6.Establish priorities.
7.Make a public commitment.
8.Be realistic about limitations.
9Evaluate and revise as necessary.
10.Reward yourself or your team.

Goals should be SMART:
S pecific, M easureable, A attainable, R esults-Oriented, T Time Sensitive



Yay for goals! Okay, that was corny, but whatever works. I did pretty good this week. I've noticed that I'm actually running faster and getting even less tired. I lost 2 more pounds to make it about 7 lbs I've lost since I really started running 3 weeks ago! I drank ALL water this week and that felt good. I haven't even wanted soda at all, even when we ate out. I did the video only once this week, so I need to step that up a bit. I honestly can't remember if I ran 3 or 4 times this week...so, either 12 or 16 miles! Anyway, I didn't weigh in the fact that the fireworks would take up my running time tonight, not to mention my running spot! So, there went that 4 miles, but I'm planning on getting up early and getting in the running I missed tonight.

Goals for next week:
1. Run 20 miles
2. Drink all water
3. Video 2 times
4. Eat snacks of fruit and veggies instead of other more tempting choices:)

Happy Fourth of July to everyone!!

My personal goals for this week

1. Attitude and Spiritual Health: Smile a lot more. Greet my family with a happy heart! Read scriptures and pray EVERY morning.

2. Exercise: Go to karate twice. I have to make a way... paying and not going is just not cutting it! Also, walk one mile on 3 separate days.

3. Education: Read and mark the remainder of "Fasting and Eating for Health."

4. Eat for Health: Do healthy grocery shopping! I guess the plan is to trade a few greenbacks for a few green leaves! I want to try at least one new food this week. How about an artichoke? I've never bought one before. I can steam that, right? If you have a good recipe, send it my way!

5. Preparedness: Add to food storage. It was announced in church yesterday that a few families will be chosen to do a food storage challenge. They will use strictly food storage for one entire wee, without shopping. I could definitely be better prepared... I just have a feeling they are going to choose us! It would be really good if it was at least a mildly pleasant experience for the kids. I want them to see the need to get involved in being prepared... this would really help them! (Maybe I should volunteer!) (I did not just say that, did I?)

Jenn's HM-Week 7

Quick health update:

I ran 3 days last week...2 days it rained at night, so a little excuse:P So I ran 12 miles last week.
I drank mostly water, but a few more sodas than the week prior, so I've gotta get back to my water habit.
I did find the strength training video, so I'll be doing it next week!
I've lost 5 lbs total and most of all, I've noticed losing inches. With all the running I've gained some muscle too, so I'm excited and pleased with the results so far!

Goals for next week:
1.Run 20 miles total
2.Drink a lot of water
3.Do the video 3 times
4.And...do some more investigation on the "Eat to Live" book
Thanks MomOnAMission for the insight! I had already been thinking about this saying that an older friend of mine used to say(I was only about 8 years old when I overheard him say this, funny how some things just stick...)
"Eat to live, don't live to eat"

Weigh-In Day

Since I burned the tar out of my thumb taking a pizza out of the oven (while feeding the missionaries, mind you) my post will be short and sweet.

I lost 2.4 pounds this week! Grand total: 12.6 pounds! Woo-hoo! (We'll see next week though. I have my monthly visitor staying this week, so that could play a part next weigh-in.)

This weeks goals include:

1. some type of exercise...let's try three times a week

2. lay off the sweets so much

3. try to get to bed by midnight each night

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Study methods... when you are on your own...

I have big plans and I'm trying to sharpen my study skills. I'd love to hear your tips.

Basically I have to read through a number of books to prepare for an exam to be certified as a nutrition counselor of sorts. (I'll explain more about that later.) My plan is to thumb through each book and get an overall idea of what goodies are in there. Then start at the beginning and read each section, highlighting the parts that are most important. After doing this for the entire book, I'll go back and write down everything I have highlighted. (If I write things down, they just stick in the old brain better... I'm sure that has something to do with my age.) Then I'll go on to the next book and do the same thing.

So... how do you study to retain information best?

Frustration

I know it's partly because I'm so sick, partly because I'm potty training, partly because I'm re-house traing the dog, and partly just my creativity, but I suck at being a housewife. No, my house is not a dump, it's just....lived-in, I guess you'd say. Certain things get done daily. I always play with my daughter. I always cook dinner...it might not be very good, but it does get done. Most of my clutter gets put away, although I never know what to do with Fai's. There are always a few toys scattered around. I get the sink cleared out at least once a day, and it's usually empty when we go to bed. But there's always a ton of things that never quite get done. I do the laundry, I even fold it, but it sometimes takes me a little while to get it all put away...Does this make me a slob? I keep my bathrooms clean, but I put off doing the floors. I take care of my dog, but put off giving him a bath because it means a big mess with Anjali helping. I try to keep toys picked up, but I put off the vacuuming...I hate not being good a something, I would like to be a domistic diva, but I'm content with a house that's not spotless but livable. Especially right now, being pregnant and sick, it's so easy to look at a job that needs doing and think, "I'll just do it tomorrow." Am I the only one who does this? I've seen some homes that look like they could be in a magazine, and all I think is, "who has the energy to do all this?" True confessions, people, am I a slob, or do you do this too?

PayPerPost-A "Momprenuer" Opportunity & More!

So, call me crazy...it wouldn't be the first time...but I found this awesome site on the mom blogs site. It's a place that you sign up with and it allows you to blog about all different kinds of things...and get paid for doing it! There are many different things to pick from. I like it because I think it will be good for the blog to find new stores and ideas and get some more women looking at our site, too. All of the tips and advice I've gotten so far has really proved helpful! This is a good way to have our circle grow. Also, not only can you make money just by blogging, like we already love to do, but you can also donate the money to charity if you so choose! The three charities are American Red Cross, Habitat For Humanity, or Alzheimer's Walk. Advertisers have ample opportunity to get you to blog about their products with blog ads. If any of you have any questions about what this is, just leave me a comment. I still have a lot of questions, too. I encourage all of you to sign up for this even if you just browse their site!! Everyone on here has a personal blog, I'm pretty sure. Try it out! Especially as Moms, sometimes it's nice to try innovative ways to earn extra money! Give me some feedback!

A New-Found Hobby..a long time in the making!

I always forget about this goal I have. It always seems to get pushed to the back-burner...and the eye turned off! Recently I have discovered that I really enjoy arranging and writing music. I have been doing stuff for church and it has sparked my interest in maybe finally sometime in the near future starting this hobby which I enjoy, which is music composition. I have been playing the flute for about...honestly I'm thinking I have no idea, 13 or 14 years? Yeah..anywho, I have always enjoyed that, but having gone to school to be a band director I have found a new respect for music as a composition or a whole. How does that saying go...Whole is equal to the sum of all its parts? I'm not convinced that it the saying, but the thought is still the same. The music is not complete if a part is absent. I always loved band for that reason. We were only as strong as our weakest link. Everyone did their part and we created music together. I am now interested in composing because it is the first creation or expression of a thought, a feeling...multiple and innumerable cascading emotions that become locked in time to be re-created as many times as people see inspiration in your creation. Hopefully I'm not rambling and losing everyone, but I truly do feel passionate about this...Finding time without neglecting anyone or anything else is the only obstacle. My brother-in-law has all kinds of recording equipment and is a very good guitar player. We keep trying to get together and do something, but the perfect time has not come yet. I have learned though that there is usually never a perfect time for anything without a lot of planning and organization, of which I'm not always the greatest at! I just wanted to put this out there in the blog arena so that I can hold myself accountable here soon.

I have no pleasure in any man who despises music. It is no invention of ours: it is a gift of God. I place it next to theology. Satan hates music*: he knows how it drives the evil spirit out of us.
-Martin Luther(*JST/Jennifer Stansel Translation-...good music:P)

Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water-bath is to the body.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.
-Ludwig Van Beethoven

After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
-Aldous Huxley

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
-Victor Hugo

Jenn's Health Mania-Week 6

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, it was kind of hectic...This week was an inspiring week for me, though. It took all the might I had(with getting everybody coordinated and me actually doing it), but I did reach a goal of mine! I've had a hard time getting the habit of running going. Since that is the main way I have decided to loose weight(or fat to be more correct) I have been a little behind on my goals. I ran every night last week except for Sunday and I skipped last night because we got in pretty late. Every night I ran between 3.5 and 4 miles straight. I ran in the morning for the first 3 days, but that did me in. I didn't think about the fact that I was going to bed running and getting up running. I'm going to try again next week though just to make sure that it wasn't just because I was having menstrual cramps, etc, etc...(glad this is a womens blog!) I have been drinking pretty much all water! I think I only had one or two sodas all last week! I feel so much better, too. I had taken my strength training video to Joe's mom's house and now I can't find it!! So sad, I really enjoyed it...hopefully I'll find it soon! Nonetheless, I didn't get to do it this week.

My goals for next week:
1.Continue the running habit
2.Continue drinking water
3.Find the strength training video...or just do some strength training *a capella*:P

By the way, I have enjoyed being able to share my journey with everyone and read about others' trials and successes. Hope everyone has success next week...let us know if you need any help, advice, or encouragement if you feel you're not able to do something you'd like to or for any reason. We're all a lot more alike than we sometimes may think. I'm thinking of everyone and hope to hear more from y'all soon!

My Health Update...

Okay, so I switched to Friday morning WW meetings. It's a "Mommy and Me" class (although there were only 2 other women that brought kids, lol) and it works better with Joe-Z's schedule.

So....results are in and I'm down 3 pounds this week! Woo-Hoo! This was without exercise, however I was STRICT with staying on plan and drinking as much water as possible. And I didn't eat any of my weekly points, so there was some sacrifice involved.

Anywho, this puts me at 10.2 pounds down in 6 weeks! I'm on track...let's just hope I can keep going strong! and I'm really enjoying feeling healthier...lighter in a way not related actual weight...does that make sense?

Goals for this week include:

1. Keep on drinking that water

2. Follow the WW "Walking Clinic - Part 1" (Beginner stage, lol)

3. Do my arm exercies at least 3 times this week

4. Swing by the library to pick up a copy of Eat to Live

Have a GREAT week ladies!

OK... this is an invitation...

Will you come visit my 'project'? It's a serious project.. a learning adventure... devoted to nutritional awareness and education. It's hidden on my profile because I've been tinkering with it and trying to get it just right. I'd like to know what you think, so comment here or over there and BE HONEST. I haven't shared it with anyone else. You're the first to see! I need constructive criticism. If you would rather send me a private message, feel free to email gotharmony@gmail.com. Here's the blog:


The Healing Power of Food

Alphabet Friends

I found a super easy, super fun way to introduce the alphabet to your little ones (thanks MomOnAMission). Here's the full story. Enjoy!

Creating A Habit

The infamous "They" say once you do something 3 times it's a habit. So I would like to think that since I have gotten up 3 mornings in a row(Sat., Mon.,Tues.) to run that it is a habit now!! Yesterday I ran 6.25 miles total, between the morning and at night. I'm still on track with the water...now all I need to do is add in the video a few times this week and maybe all of it will finally be a habit!! Today I look on habits in a positive manner...Hooray for Good Habits!

Hey Everybody!

I finally managed to get an invitation from Jenn! Yea!

I am older than most of you, have 7 kids ages 6 to 21. I'm in First Ward, and I've got lots of ideas and thoughts about 'stuff' and probably lots of questions you can help me with.

I posted a couple of comments to Jenn's topic: http://courageandencouragement.blogspot.com/2008/05/taking-first-post-plunge.html that all of you might find useful for your little ones.

Have a happy day!

MomOnAMission

Jenn's (not so) HM-week 5?

I shall join the ranks of the fallen women this week! Okay, so that is an exaggeration of us, but the only thing I stuck to this week was the water deal. It was totally my laziness that didn't follow through with the rest. So, tomorrow Joe said he will wake up with me @ 6:30am and run. I'm setting the alarm people! It's a start, and that's what I need...as long as I do it!

...nuff said.

And one big yay! that I thought would fit the courage part of the blog... My mom is getting baptized tomorrow!! Woo hoo!! Words can't explain how I feel, and I think I'm still kind of in shock...so I'll leave it at that for now. But, if that's not "Courage to begin.", then I don't know what is. GO MOM!!

I hate Strep!

Just a quick post. I want you all to lower your expectations of this weeks weight loss. This Strep Throat is kicking my trash! While I've been eating completely on plan (which I think is a great accomplishment all in itself, considering I lost a WHOLE point due to the previous weight loss), I can barely find the strength to get out of bed to tend to the kids, let alone exercise! So, this week, my goal went from "Yes, I can SO lose 2.8 pounds" to "Heaven help me not tip the scales up"!

Anyway...just didn't want to break any hearts come Tuesday, lol.

Ok...maybe not so inspirational but definitely YUMMY!!!

So, lately I have been finding the smallest things (i.e. getting out of bed, fixing my hair) really really hard. Maybe it's the pregnancy or maybe I'm just a lazy turd but this morning I needed a little extra motivation...

I bribed myself with cheesecake!

Ha ha! I made it last night for the elders (who are coming for dinner tonight) but there is now a HUGE hunk missing! thanks to yours truly... I could sit and feel guilty about this minor set back on the road to the perfectly healthy pregnancy but instead I'm just going to publicly excuse myself with maybe a tiny hint of congratulations (on actually getting out of bed in the first place...) Is this a total justification of blatant gluttony or just the barely coherent ramblings of a lazy pregnant woman???

My mom thinks I'm just lazy... what say you my dear sisters???

Maybe yall can be where the encouragement comes into play in this post...

Help me!!!! I can't have cheesecake for breakfast everyday!!!

Or can I?

Good Article-Myths About Weight

For everyone out there with health and fitness goals, read this.

Click Here

Thoughts for the week-last week(or month, sorry!)

I'm going to put it under the comments so it doesn't take up so much space! Hope everyone is doing great.

Adois 2.6 lbs!

That's right folks...today was weigh-in day! 2.6 pounds gone, for a total of...drumroll please....7.2 pouinds in 5 weeks! As Levi would say, "Yessssssss"!

As far as reaching my goals, well...that's another story. To report:

1. I drank at least 6 bottles (or 12 8 oz glasses) of water each day, so I'm good there.

~Let me interject here that I used to hate water...wouldn't touch the stuff. So, now, for me to be able to say that all I drink is water (with the occasional glass of o.j. or a caffine-free mountain dew) is amazing to me! And inspiring. I'm already doing something I never thought possible, so I totally believe that a year from now, I can be exactly where I want to be health-wise (a.k.a. weight-wise)! ~

2. Walking was alright. I managed to walk for 20-30 minutes, 3 times last week. I had a good thing going, then we had tornado watches 2 nights in a row, and before I knew it, my good thing was gone! But, it did feel great walking those 3 times!

3. Same with the hula hoop game. I would do the game right after the walk, so when the walks went out the window, so did the hula hooping. ~Yes, I know you can play the Wii inside even if the weather is bad, the motivation just wasn't there!~ However, I did unlock the "super hula hoop" game, where my record still stands #1, even above Joe-Z!!!

So, for the upcoming week:

1. I know this is pretty lofty - I want to lose 2.8 pounds this week. I would really love to hit the 10 lb mark by the end of 6 weeks. I figure it's only .2 more to lose than I did this week, so a couple of extra walks and I should be good to go. Right...?

2. Keep drinking all that water. This week I'm shooting for at least 5 bottles a day. I was able to exceed that this past week, so I should be able to slack this week (due to this lovely strep throat I have somehow contracted and, hence, don't feel like drinking anything) and still get in 5.

3. Keep walking. This time I'll set a more realistic goal of 4 times. 15 minutes or more each time.

4. Keep hula hooping! My goal this week is once per day. I want to beat my previous high score by the end of this week.

5. Do the "full-body toning for beginners" workout provided by Weight Watchers. It's great - it can be either 25 or 50 minutes, and you do it right at home! And, while I would much rather be like Miss Gym-Hopper Marquesas, this sounds much more like my kinda workout!!!

Okay, I know this was long, but thanks for listening! I think it really does help when you know you have others out there cheerleading for you!! Have a great week!

sharin' the success

Decided to post while I have success, this could be my final one..hopefully not. According to sparkpeople and seriously approximating, yesterday I ate almost 2200 calories YIKES! and today I ate less than 1500 cal. it was hard in the afternoon, my brain wanted sugar but I made it. It's amazing how many calories there are out there that you consume and don't think about how much it adds up! They have wonderful recipes. I've tried the applesauce muffins...yummy! and the asparagus chicken salad.mmm! So far so good!

I'm stepping away with Lindsey

I too am ready to replace my eating hobby. I am trying to do small steps, like high fiber breakfast. I've learned about two things I want to incorporate..1 is doing 100 crunches a day. I figure I do 10 sets of 10 and I'm good right :). I haven't started that yet, but it's one of my goals.

2 is I learned about this website that I'm trying that I think is like the one Marquesas told us about that I didn't do so well with (probably more to do with the participant not the website) dailyplate.com, anyway this one is sparkpeople.com. I'm telling you guys for that accountability factor. I'm looking forward to being 30lbs lighter by Christmas...yoohoo. Yea, we'll see!

Jenn's HM-Week 4 and More!

My update on my health goals:

1. I have only drank one soda per day! Everything else water.
2. I did the video twice this week

3. I wasn't able to run...staying at Grandma's house this week.

So, not an extraordinary week, but okay for all of the temptation of the goodies at Joe's moms house!

My update on the first post I made. Today, Mal and I did the letter "A". We found stuff at Grandma's house to make. Here are some pictures:

So, do we get an "A"? *wink*

Have a great week!

My time has come...

Alright ladies, it's my turn. I'm stepping up to the plate (actually, I should say I'm stepping away from the plate, lol).

I've been trying to find a spare moment to create my first fitness-related post. Well, I've decided that in order to create this post sometime this century, I need to quit trying to find time, and make some! So hop aboard, here we go!

I've been on Weight Watchers for a month as of today. The way it works is that you are allotted a certain number of "points" per day, based on (among other things) your weight, age, and activity level. Every food has a certain number of points (they somehow figure this number using the fat, calories, and fiber). From there, you're allowed to eat whatever you want, as long as you stay within your daily "points". You also get extra weekly points that you can use whenever you want, at one big meal or spread out throughout over the week. Basically, you go a week at a time, starting your week off with a meeting where you weigh-in, then stay for a meeting where, each week, a leader picks a topic and you share ideas with everyone else from the group. It's a neat way to get inspiration and great recipes. For example, there was a woman there tonight that has lost 225 pounds! Wow. It's funny b/c when I saw her sitting there, before the meeting started, I thought to myself, "What is she doing here? She doesn't need WW!"

Tonight was my 4th weigh-in. The first 2 weeks, I gained weight! Leave it to me to gain weight on a weight-loss program! I chalk it up to the stress of the baby, and that those first 2 weeks we had 2 overnights at the hospital where they served delicious, fat-filled meals. Anyway, the 3rd week, I lost 4.8 pounds! And then tonight, I was up .2 pounds...danggit! Oh well, next week should be better (it won't be that time of the month, so I should lose some of that water they say you retain)!

As for my goals, I have aplenty...but for just this week, my goals are as follows:

1. Drink at least 4 bottles (or 8 glasses) of water each day

2. Walk for at least 15 minutes each day

3. Play the WiiFit Hula Hoop game at least 1 time each day

Good luck to you all in your goal keeping as well! Have a great week!

P.S. On Rachel Ray this afternoon I saw this neat website. You upload a picture of yourself and it will send you back an altered picture of what you would look like if you dropped ____ pounds (you specifiy how much weight you're planning on losing). I thought it could be a cool way to stay motivated. And it's FREE!! Woo-hoo!

Jenn's HM-Week 3

Good News & Bad News. The bad first...I wasn't able to run as much as my goal this week due to planning of someone to watch Mal, again. Still working on it though. The good...Somehow between these two weeks of running a little, doing the video every other day, and drinking more water, I've lost 3 or 4 lbs!! It's hard to tell exactly on my scale because it is el cheapo, but good enough for me. So if I can just get the running thing a habit with everyone I should be able to shed these pounds by the grace of God:P Too bad it has to be a family affair just for me to run, but once it's a habit again it should be easy to keep the schedule.

On to week 3!
1. Almost all water(one soda per day)
2. Video every other day
3. Obtain running habit!

How's everyone out there doing this week?!
Have a great weekend!

Last weeks "Thoughts For The Week"

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.
-Theodore Roosevelt

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
-Winston Churchill

I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
-John Rockefeller

It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.
-Elinor Smith

Stephanie's Staying Sane Support

oh how I do love aliteration! Ok so I just joined this wonderful blog, and I am so excited. And since this is courage and encouragment for women, the one thing that we all battle is not loosing our minds. Now this is wether we are mothers, sisters, wives, students, teachers, workers... whatever it is that we do, we always seem to be so busy. We tend to put our whole selves into our work and when we "mess" up (burn the roast for dinner, forget to give our mom's a mothers day card, yell at our kids...) oh, how it can be the end of the world. Stressing and venting, venting and stressing, sound familiar to anyone?



It has only been recently that I finally, truly understood an amazing saying. The saying goes: "Let go, and Let God." Simple right? Well I have been told this saying in various forms and I was always like, "of course. I do that all the time, whatever." And for the past couple of years I have been hearing it from MJ. She has drilled it into my mind pretty much, thanks girl! But it wasnt until I learned the power of acceptance (aaaaahhhhh - written in big gold sparkling letters and spoken with an echo) that I began to understand this phrase. You see, I have never been one for letting things go and accepting the fact that is the fact. I always felt that if I worried enough or fought the outcome enough that what "I" thought was right, would turn out right. I never stopped to think that what the magnificant me thinks is right may not be "right". So when I understood that things happen the way the meant to and that things are the exact way they are no matter what! and when I stopped dwelling on the fact that I wanted it to be different or that it wasnt fair, that was when I realized that now, I was letting go and letting God take over for me. And you know what? I feel Good.





Now dont get me wrong, there are still many times when I need to vent. Venting is good, as long as that is not all we are doing. If we can vent and let it all out and then assess and help to heal the situation then BRING ON THE VENTING! So my words of encouragment for today and to take a couple minutes to really think about things and if you need to vent about something no matter how major or minor it is, let it out. And write it in here, and all of us strong powerful women can work together to make eachother continue on in greatness!

Gimme an "M"!!!!

Ok so I actually did a pretty decent job this week... I made it to the gym not only once but TWICE!!!! woot! woot! I have been drinking a lot more water and I really tried to step our aerobics class up a notch yesterday!





There's only one small problem...I made a French Silk Pie yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, the chocolate issue is well, still an issue! LOL I feel justified in my indulgence however b/c I did such a great job otherwise!

Anywho...yay for me and yay for all of us!!! Let's make next week even better!!!

Jenn's HM-Week 2

Update from week 1- I had problems running as much as I wanted to, but only because of trying to work out someone to watch Mallorie while I ran. At night, Joe has to come down to the pond with me for security reasons and my mom has to be able to watch her...and in the mornings everyone is usually already on their way to work. I will either have to work out the details a little better or unfortunately cut down the amount I run:( I was able to do the video every other day since Mallorie could do it with me...or she thought she was anyway! After I commented that I wasn't doing well with the drinking water goal, I got better about it. Somehow writing on here helps me to do better. If I wasn't drinking water I was either drinking milk or orange juice instead of soda (though I did have one or two this week). So, overall pretty good for week one.

Week 2- So here are my re-evaluated goals:
1. Run once a day(whenever I can arrange someone to watch Mallorie), but at least
every other day.
2. Video every other day.
3. Drink water and avoid soda.

Thanks everyone!

"Being Good"

I have just read the health posts, and Jenn and Marquesas, I think it is awesome that y'all posted up your health goals! I have been seriously considering doing that too not only on this blog, but also on my own, because of the whole "accountability" thing. I really want to start "being good"...somewhere deep down, I do. I don't want any of this extra poundage that I have, and I always say "I'm starting tomorrow!" But then there is this delicious looking cookie staring at me in the face and I eat it and then I think all is lost and "I will start tomorrow!" It is a vicious cycle, and yet so cliche, as well. I am a cliche. Awesome. :( So...before I post up that I am going to start "being good" (because I don't want to let myself down again), I would love some advice/ help on how to get the motivation to just do it and stick to it! Any ideas?

Jenn, thanks for inviting me to share on this blog! Marquesas, you crack me up..."woman with no bones"...haha ;)

Tip Junkie

So, I saw this link on Lindsey's website, kudos:P I think we could submit some tips, like the ones y'all had about fun ways to teach the alphabet. I'm sure we'll have others as we go...never hurts to try! Plus, this is a great way for others to benefit from our site and ideas. Let us know if you submit a tip to her site and we'll put the "I was featured" button on our site.

She also gives alot of good tips on blogging. Blog party anyone?!

Marquesas, On Health...

Ok, so I'm pretty sure all of us contributors can post in here too (right jenn?) If not, I am so sorry I just hi-jacked your blog!!! lol Any way, I figured I would chime in with my health goals... as most of yall know I teach aerobics at the church 2 days a week. Well, I used to supplement that with going to the gym 3 days a week but lately (well, for the past like 2 months) I have been wimping out of my strength training... So my goal is this... go back to the gym atleast once next week and maybe try to squeeze in 2 trips. Whew, I'm getting tired just thinking about it... Also I need to be drinking more water and yucky milk so my bones don't rot away to nothing... And probably eat less chocolate, but I make no promises there. A girls gotta have one vice right???

So, to follow Jenn I will make a list so my goals will be clearly documented...

1. Hit the gym atleast 1 day this week. (yes, I am that hard core ladies)

2. Drink more water... (and disgusting milk) so I don't become the woman with no bones.

3. Try...to eat a little less chocolate...I'm not cutting it out all together... YOU CAN"T MAKE ME!!!!! (ok, i need to relax...no one is trying to take my chocolate away....) deep breath....

Alright, if any of the other contributors have health goals...where are they??? What are they??? We need to know so we can hound you till they get met... LOL Just kidding, have a great week everyone!

Health Mania-Week 1

This is not easy for me to exploit on the internet, but I believe it will help. I saw another blog with a group of friends doing this and it seemed to be working for them. So, another personal goal of mine is to finally shed this weight that I have been calling "baby weight" but it is now 3+ years later...so technically it is just my weight now. Believe it or not, last summer I got up enough courage and personal & spousal encouragement to run 3 miles everyday and I shed 25 lbs! I have managed somehow with school, work, a 3-year-old, and other regular daily things to keep it off. BUT...(is there always a but?)...now is time to kick into gear again since I finally graduated and can refocus my life. I'm ready to be myself again and I also would like to have another baby sometime in the near future. It is not fun being pregnant and having extra weight already. Plus, it is truly about overall health and being healthy is the only way I can reach my full potential. I believe this to be true for everone. So, I would like to set a few goals for myself. I figure if I put it out here for everyone to see then I have to do it, right? One goal of mine is to drink less soda. I would really like to drink almost all water. They say it helps you lose weight, too. I would also like to set a goal to run twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Time permitting, 3 miles each time. I also have this great overall toning video that I want to do every other day or three times a week. So, anyone want to join me?! Anyone else out there have any health/fitness goals? I know everyone is on totally different levels, but there's always room for improvement for everyone.

My goals in a nut shell:
1. Drink more water
2. Run at least once a day, 3 miles(shooting for twice a day)
3. Toning(with weight training) video 3 times per week

I will update next Friday with my progress or lack thereof...hold me to it!

By the way...for those of you that don't know me, I'm Jennifer Stansel and I probably know one of your friends from church somehow and they graciously gave me your e-mail address to invite you to the blog. So, don't be shy. I look forward to hearing everyones personal goals in the near future! Good Luck!

Taking the "first post plunge"

Okay, so I want to start teaching Mallorie how to recognize and write the alphabet. She's been singing the ABC song for so long now and I think it's time to step it up a notch. I figure I'll start by introducing a letter each day(remind you of Sesame Street?), but I'm stuck at how to make it fun and exciting! Any suggestions, let me know!!

Welcome to the site!

Hi all! I thought it would be a good idea to start a site for us women, mothers, and mothers-to-be. A site where we can all make blog posts with goals we have and chart our progress. Anything that interests you that you are working to achieve, my hope is that this site will catch on and act as an aid in each others success. Courage to begin and encouragement to succeed. *If you are interested in posting to this site, just comment on this post and on your first post tell everyone a little about you.*